Looking to buy a Jeep JK, Thoughts?
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Looking to buy a Jeep JK, Thoughts?
Hi Guys,
I'm new here from SoCal, looking to get myself into the jeep universe! I've owned a Nissan Frontier 06 4x4 CrewCab, and currently drive a Honda Fit Sport 5spd Manual, but i'm looking to buy a jeep!
I'm looking for advice on which jeep to buy, i'm pretty sure i want to buy a used one and try to save as much money to get aftermarket parts. My few NEEDS, are 4WD (OBVIOUSLY), Unlimited 4Dr, and Power mirrors/locks.
I find that everything else regardless of the trim really can be aftermarketed or custom built
(LOVE IT!)
The only thing that plauges my mind is MANUAL or AUTO!
Theres a lot more Autos on the market, and easier to get, but besides that, its how i can tap into the engine (which lacks some power), and comfort. I sit quite a bit in traffic, and with my Manual Fit right now (which is an awesome car btw) gets annoying on my knees.
So how did you guys choose the difference and now that you own (either manual or auto) do you agree with your original decision? Please add input about trail and off-roading experience, noticable gain in acceleration, aftermarket pros and cons, or anything of that nature.
Also! I rather HATE the positioning of a tilted stick knob, is there something that can replace it, or an aftermarket part that makes it straight up? I test drove the manual and it was the first thing i noticed.... (Not a deal breaker, just annoying)
Thanks !! and hope to see you guys online and on the trails!!
I'm new here from SoCal, looking to get myself into the jeep universe! I've owned a Nissan Frontier 06 4x4 CrewCab, and currently drive a Honda Fit Sport 5spd Manual, but i'm looking to buy a jeep!
I'm looking for advice on which jeep to buy, i'm pretty sure i want to buy a used one and try to save as much money to get aftermarket parts. My few NEEDS, are 4WD (OBVIOUSLY), Unlimited 4Dr, and Power mirrors/locks.
I find that everything else regardless of the trim really can be aftermarketed or custom built
(LOVE IT!)The only thing that plauges my mind is MANUAL or AUTO!
Theres a lot more Autos on the market, and easier to get, but besides that, its how i can tap into the engine (which lacks some power), and comfort. I sit quite a bit in traffic, and with my Manual Fit right now (which is an awesome car btw) gets annoying on my knees.
So how did you guys choose the difference and now that you own (either manual or auto) do you agree with your original decision? Please add input about trail and off-roading experience, noticable gain in acceleration, aftermarket pros and cons, or anything of that nature.
Also! I rather HATE the positioning of a tilted stick knob, is there something that can replace it, or an aftermarket part that makes it straight up? I test drove the manual and it was the first thing i noticed.... (Not a deal breaker, just annoying)
Thanks !! and hope to see you guys online and on the trails!!
JK Newbie
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: New Freedom, PA
Be GLad
Just be glad you are where you are RED- On the east coast right now, trying to find a JKU with pw,pdl (whether it be a X with power pack, Sahara or Rubi) is darn near impossible. And def not worth the scratch that these dealers are asking.
I've seriously contemplated the drive back from AZ or CA as plane tix for me, the wife and my baby girl would still be cheaper than the $25-34k that dealers are asking here for these vehilces.
Also, something to consider---not sure if you are going hard/soft top--softs are easier to find as well, but if you ever want a hard, it might be best to get one with already (as they can be hard to find as well in my opinion).
just my 2 cents---and I'm not an owner yet either---just been lurking for the last 6 months or so---and REALLY want a JKU, just hoping the prices come down when the '10's hit the shrowroom floors.
I've seriously contemplated the drive back from AZ or CA as plane tix for me, the wife and my baby girl would still be cheaper than the $25-34k that dealers are asking here for these vehilces.
Also, something to consider---not sure if you are going hard/soft top--softs are easier to find as well, but if you ever want a hard, it might be best to get one with already (as they can be hard to find as well in my opinion).
just my 2 cents---and I'm not an owner yet either---just been lurking for the last 6 months or so---and REALLY want a JKU, just hoping the prices come down when the '10's hit the shrowroom floors.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 1
From: Roanoke,TX
On the tranny, not knowing your off road experiance level, the auto will be easier to learn on
On our last group outing with newbies, those that had the manuals had a little tougher time of it. and at least two of them were acomplished with the manual as far as on road.
again this was just an observation, and much will depend on your comfort level and skill
On our last group outing with newbies, those that had the manuals had a little tougher time of it. and at least two of them were acomplished with the manual as far as on road.
again this was just an observation, and much will depend on your comfort level and skill
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 0
From: Middle of no where
They leak, they are slow, they get <15mpg, they creak, they groan. But when you lift them, put big tires on, replace the bumpers, their is nothing more beautiful and fun than a modified Jeep IMO. Get a manual!!!
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
I spent lots of time on getting what I wanted out of my Jeep. I ended up with a 6spd manual, 2door rubicon.
2door because of size on the trail. In my life now I don't need a 4door, and I want to be nimble on the rocky trails here. 4drs can do a lot, I just prefer to run a 2door.
Manual transmission because, dang look at the figures. There is a 4-speed auto with the gutless 3.8L and the 6speed manual. Being a Rubicon I get 4.10s as well. Which watch what you get, if you end up with 3.21s, you'll be regearing before you know it. Another reason I didn't want an automatic is regearing my axles. With 4.10s and 6speed, I can handle 35s with no problems, really not struggling. Gear ratios are there. Plus I love manual trans vehicles, I see a nostalgia with the Jeep and a manual trans. I never think of a Jeep with an auto when I think a wrangler platform. It is the definition and just makes the experience that much better. Being a gearhead, I love to be able to pick and hold my gear, engine brake, smack the gears before attempting a climb, etc, etc. Adds to the adventure! However I would not buy a manual without being the Rubicon because of the 4-low gearing. The Rubi 4-low makes the stick much easier to handle off road and crawling. Let alone being nicer to the clutch. Then again...i dont think i'd consider buying a non-rubi either (and i was DEAD SET on getting one...nothing else)
Rubicon, plain and simple. I wanted it all. Many people like to add to their X this and that and it "does what a rubicon does". But something about a factory vehicle with a little heavier front axle, e-lockers (great inventions up there with boobs and beer), e-sway disconnect, super low 4-low, rock sliders, good shocks, etc, etc. I didn't want to drop 20k+ on a vehicle and still say, man i want lockers, i want gears, i want this or that. I wanted a extremely solid platform that i can just tweak to my liking, rather than rebuild to my liking.
The rubicon with the manual is a very nice ride off road. The engine braking is nice for the winding hills. The control is there under steel declines with the engine braking (talking STEEP), as well as the ungodly amount of low end torque to make crawling up things look like childsplay, especially with it locked in.
Just my experience, I've had plenty of vehicles and took the time to get what I wanted. I love the Jeep just as much as I expected I would
2door because of size on the trail. In my life now I don't need a 4door, and I want to be nimble on the rocky trails here. 4drs can do a lot, I just prefer to run a 2door.
Manual transmission because, dang look at the figures. There is a 4-speed auto with the gutless 3.8L and the 6speed manual. Being a Rubicon I get 4.10s as well. Which watch what you get, if you end up with 3.21s, you'll be regearing before you know it. Another reason I didn't want an automatic is regearing my axles. With 4.10s and 6speed, I can handle 35s with no problems, really not struggling. Gear ratios are there. Plus I love manual trans vehicles, I see a nostalgia with the Jeep and a manual trans. I never think of a Jeep with an auto when I think a wrangler platform. It is the definition and just makes the experience that much better. Being a gearhead, I love to be able to pick and hold my gear, engine brake, smack the gears before attempting a climb, etc, etc. Adds to the adventure! However I would not buy a manual without being the Rubicon because of the 4-low gearing. The Rubi 4-low makes the stick much easier to handle off road and crawling. Let alone being nicer to the clutch. Then again...i dont think i'd consider buying a non-rubi either (and i was DEAD SET on getting one...nothing else)
Rubicon, plain and simple. I wanted it all. Many people like to add to their X this and that and it "does what a rubicon does". But something about a factory vehicle with a little heavier front axle, e-lockers (great inventions up there with boobs and beer), e-sway disconnect, super low 4-low, rock sliders, good shocks, etc, etc. I didn't want to drop 20k+ on a vehicle and still say, man i want lockers, i want gears, i want this or that. I wanted a extremely solid platform that i can just tweak to my liking, rather than rebuild to my liking.
The rubicon with the manual is a very nice ride off road. The engine braking is nice for the winding hills. The control is there under steel declines with the engine braking (talking STEEP), as well as the ungodly amount of low end torque to make crawling up things look like childsplay, especially with it locked in.
Just my experience, I've had plenty of vehicles and took the time to get what I wanted. I love the Jeep just as much as I expected I would
JK Jedi
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,537
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Thanks for the input, Especially the point on lockers really do make sense. But as far as the gear ratio how much difference would that actually make? Would a rubi with a 4.1 gear ratio vs an X stock really ride that much different? And does all X not come with locking differentials??
There is an option for a rear locker in the X, but they are quite uncommon. If you're looking used I would definitely start looking for Rubicons first, and then go from there based on what your budget is, and what's available. If you look at 2007 models you can get 4.10 gears in any of the models (unless they had the 6 speed with the 3.21 gears).
Trending Topics
JK Junkie
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 2
From: Boston, MA
Thanks for the input, Especially the point on lockers really do make sense. But as far as the gear ratio how much difference would that actually make? Would a rubi with a 4.1 gear ratio vs an X stock really ride that much different? And does all X not come with locking differentials??
Re-gearing isn't cheap, so I'd look for 4.10s if you plan on running slightly larger tires than factory.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: staten island ny
Just be glad you are where you are RED- On the east coast right now, trying to find a JKU with pw,pdl (whether it be a X with power pack, Sahara or Rubi) is darn near impossible. And def not worth the scratch that these dealers are asking.
I've seriously contemplated the drive back from AZ or CA as plane tix for me, the wife and my baby girl would still be cheaper than the $25-34k that dealers are asking here for these vehilces.
Also, something to consider---not sure if you are going hard/soft top--softs are easier to find as well, but if you ever want a hard, it might be best to get one with already (as they can be hard to find as well in my opinion).
just my 2 cents---and I'm not an owner yet either---just been lurking for the last 6 months or so---and REALLY want a JKU, just hoping the prices come down when the '10's hit the shrowroom floors.
I've seriously contemplated the drive back from AZ or CA as plane tix for me, the wife and my baby girl would still be cheaper than the $25-34k that dealers are asking here for these vehilces.
Also, something to consider---not sure if you are going hard/soft top--softs are easier to find as well, but if you ever want a hard, it might be best to get one with already (as they can be hard to find as well in my opinion).
just my 2 cents---and I'm not an owner yet either---just been lurking for the last 6 months or so---and REALLY want a JKU, just hoping the prices come down when the '10's hit the shrowroom floors.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
From: N.E. B.F.E. Indiana (Rome City)
RUBICON.... especially if you are looking used! they have all the right stuff from the factory, unless you are going to go for lots of mods right out of the box! If thats the case, it does'nt matter which one you buy except for the options you want..i.e. elec. windows,locks,etc...
I did'nt have a choice about auto vs. manual when I bought mine, it was the only Rubi on the lot, no one else around had one at the price I paid for mine ( hold over new '08 - $23k ) so I got the auto, It is more simple on the trails, though, my TJ had a manual, and I had no issues with it either...
I don't know about So Cal, but here in and around Indiana, there are still quite a few JKs on the lots, not many Rubicons, but several X's and Sahara's..
So... If you don't plan on lots of mods.. I.E. lifts, tires, gears, bumpers, lockers,etc. etc. etc.... do yourself a favor and get a Rubicon, but if you want to mod, get any of them with the options you are looking for...
Just my 2 cents.....
I did'nt have a choice about auto vs. manual when I bought mine, it was the only Rubi on the lot, no one else around had one at the price I paid for mine ( hold over new '08 - $23k ) so I got the auto, It is more simple on the trails, though, my TJ had a manual, and I had no issues with it either...
I don't know about So Cal, but here in and around Indiana, there are still quite a few JKs on the lots, not many Rubicons, but several X's and Sahara's..
So... If you don't plan on lots of mods.. I.E. lifts, tires, gears, bumpers, lockers,etc. etc. etc.... do yourself a favor and get a Rubicon, but if you want to mod, get any of them with the options you are looking for...
Just my 2 cents.....